Accident PZL M-18A Dromader N178RA,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 355354
 
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Date:Saturday 23 August 1997
Time:10:45 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic M18 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
PZL M-18A Dromader
Owner/operator:Hatfield Spraying Service, Inc
Registration: N178RA
MSN: 1Z015-10
Total airframe hrs:2600 hours
Engine model:Pezetel ASZ621RM18
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Coopersville, MI -   United States of America
Phase: En route
Nature:Agricultural
Departure airport:Nunica, MI (33C)
Destination airport:(33C)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
Following an agricultural flight, the pilot noticed that the right fuel tank was reading under 1/8 full and the left fuel tank was 1/4 full. The pilot opened the overflow valve and slipped the airplane to balance the fuel levels. The pilot did this maneuver twice and the fuel gauge indicated 1/8 full in both tanks. The pilot said that the fuel pressure was then lost and a total power loss occurred. He tried the regain fuel pressure by using the wobble pump but could not restart the engine. The airplane was moved and disassembled by the owner before the fuel tanks could be inspected. The owner said that the airplane manufacturer said fuel feed problems are caused by an air leak in the cover plates on the fuel tanks. The pilot did not dump his chemical load following the loss of engine power.

Probable Cause: the pilot inadequate fuel system management which led to a fuel starvation.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: CHI97LA267
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 8 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB CHI97LA267

History of this aircraft

Other occurrences involving this aircraft
20 May 2000 N178RA Hatfield Spraying Service, Inc 1 Muskegon, MI w/o

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
12-Mar-2024 11:05 ASN Update Bot Added

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